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UK light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

Two judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Encounter

Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the fighters landed punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.